Method and system for clustering and grouping taskbar buttons

ABSTRACT

A method and system are provided for organizing, displaying, and accessing representations of one or more running tasks on a graphical user interface in a computer system. The system organizes like application files and clusters the corresponding taskbar buttons and, upon reaching a threshold limit, creates and displays a group button that contains the like application files and removes the like taskbar buttons from the taskbar. Further, upon reaching a second threshold limit, the system ungroups the application taskbar buttons, displays them on the taskbar and removes the group button from the taskbar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional applicationSerial No. 60/195,611, filed Apr. 6, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to computer software and, moreparticularly, to a method and system for organizing, displaying, andaccessing running applications and files in a computer system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer operating systems commonly use taskbars as a tool to accesscomputer applications and their associated files in a computer system.Taskbar buttons are typically a user interface representation of runningtasks and provide a simple access method for users to get to theserunning tasks. Typically, as applications and application files areopened, corresponding buttons appear on the taskbar. These buttonstraditionally provide a link to the application file so that when thebutton is selected by a user, the application file appears on thescreen. Thus, users can browse the taskbar to see the appropriate filethey wish to view and select the appropriate button on the taskbar inorder to view that file.

Taskbar buttons are created as application files are opened by a userwithin a computer's operating system. Taskbar buttons traditionallydisplay an icon and text within the button that corresponds to the nameof a running application or application file. As more application filesare opened, the number of taskbar buttons increase along the taskbar.Consequently, the size of the taskbar button decreases to the pointwhere the text on the taskbar is no longer meaningful.

In the “WINDOWS” operating system, as a user opens application files,corresponding taskbar buttons appear on the taskbar. As more applicationfiles are opened, the buttons decrease in size to allow them to fitwithin the taskbar given the current screen resolution. The taskbar mayreside horizontally at the top or bottom of the display or verticallyalong the sides of the display. As new application files are opened andcorresponding buttons are added to the taskbar, they are added to theright-most or bottom-most portion to the taskbar.

As mentioned earlier, when multiple taskbar buttons are created alongthe taskbar, especially in a horizontal position, it becomes difficultto read the text within the taskbar buttons. To determine the contentsof a button, a user may place a selection tool over each of the buttons.When the selection tool is over the button, an expanded text messageappears that allows the user to ascertain the identity of the file.Additionally, the user may use the button icon as a visual queue to thecontents of the window represented by the button. This becomesineffectual when there are multiple windows represented by the sameicon. Thus, switching between running tasks when numerous applicationfiles are opened becomes burdened by the necessity of hovering overbuttons and waiting for the text message to appear.

Alternatively, a user may not use the taskbar at all to determine whatfile to view because the size of the taskbar buttons limit the user'sability to quickly determine which button applies to certain file. Forexample, if a user has multiple word processing documents opened in aword processing application program, the user may utilize the wordprocessing application to search for the document of choice. Such aprocess eliminates the short-cut procedure provided by utilizing thetaskbar. As a result, the user performs additional steps to find adocument. This process is slow and requires numerous repetitive useroperations. Additionally, this process bypasses the primary function ofthe taskbar, namely, to provide a simple method to access runningapplication files.

Accordingly, there exists a need to better organize the taskbar when itbecomes crowded. Moreover, there is a need for such a method and systemto create a more efficient and faster user interface representation ofrunning tasks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally described, a method in a computer system for organizing anddisplaying taskbar buttons associated with corresponding applications ona display having a taskbar is provided. In accordance with the method,the application file associated with a taskbar button is identified andtaskbar buttons having like application files are placed together on thetaskbar to form a cluster. Further, the method of the present inventionmonitors the space available for each taskbar button on the taskbar andcompares the monitored space available against a first predeterminedthreshold value. If the space available is less than the firstpredetermined threshold, the like application taskbar buttons aregrouped together. Additionally, the method compares the monitored spaceavailable value against a second predetermined threshold value andungroups the like application files if the space available is more thanthe second predetermined threshold.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing andselecting clustered and grouped taskbar buttons in a computer systemhaving a graphical user interface is provided. The graphic userinterface further includes a display and a user interface selectiondevice. According to the method of the present invention, the systemretrieves multiple application program files having correspondingtaskbar application buttons and displays the taskbar application buttonson the taskbar. Like application taskbar application buttons areclustered together and upon meeting a predetermined size limit, thesystem retrieves a group application button. The group applicationbutton is displayed and each of the like taskbar application buttons areremoved from the taskbar. Upon meeting an ungroup threshold size, eachof the like application buttons on the taskbar is displayed and thegroup application button is removed from the taskbar.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable mediumhaving data stored in a button data structure is provided. The buttondata structure includes a first data field containing data representinga button application handle to communicate with an application file. Thestructure further includes a second data field containing datarepresenting a button application name corresponding to the applicationfile. Additionally, the button structure contains a third data fieldcontaining data representing a button status to indicate when theapplication file was last accessed. The data structure also includes afourth data field containing data representing a button state todetermine if the button is visible or hidden.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readablemedium having data stored in a cluster data structure is provided. Thecluster data structure includes two or more data fields containing datarepresenting like application button data structures with each of thelike application button data structures having a button state todetermine if the button is visible or hidden. Further, the clusterstructure includes a group data field containing data representing agroup button data structure. The group button data structure also has abutton state to determine if the button is visible or hidden.Additionally, the cluster structure includes a state data fieldcontaining data representing a cluster state to determine if the clusterstructure is normal or grouped.

A method and system are provided for organizing and displaying taskbarbuttons in a graphical user interface. The system organizes likeapplication files and clusters the corresponding taskbar buttons and,upon reaching a threshold limit, creates and displays a group buttonthat contains the like application files and removes the like taskbarbuttons from the taskbar. Further, upon reaching a second thresholdlimit, the system ungroups the application taskbar buttons, displaysthem on the taskbar and removes the group button from the taskbar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to theattached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computing system environment suitable foruse in implementing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a preferred method for clusteringand grouping taskbar buttons;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a preferred method for clusteringtaskbar buttons;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a preferred method for groupingtaskbar buttons;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a preferred method for ungroupingtaskbar buttons;

FIG. 6 is a view of a taskbar of the present invention illustrating theclustering of individual application taskbar buttons;

FIG. 7 is a view of a taskbar of the present invention illustrating thegrouping of individual application buttons on the taskbar;

FIG. 8 is a view of the taskbar illustrating the menu feature of a groupbutton on the taskbar;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a taskbar button data structure of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a cluster data structure of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and system for creating a moreefficient user interface representation of running tasks. FIG. 1illustrates an example of a suitable computing system environment 100 inwhich the invention may be implemented. The computing system environment100 is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is notintended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of the invention. Neither should the computing environment100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating toany one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplaryoperating environment 100.

The invention is operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include,but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-heldor laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems,programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, distributed computing environments that include any of theabove systems or devices, and the like.

The invention may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Theinvention may also be practiced in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer storage media including memory storage devices.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing theinvention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of acomputer 110. Components of computer 110 include, but are not limitedto, a processing unit 120, a system memory 130, and a system bus 121that couples various system components including the system memory tothe processing unit 120. The system bus 121 may be any of several typesof bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of busarchitectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architecturesinclude Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro ChannelArchitecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video ElectronicsStandards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus.

Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby computer 110 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatileand nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by computer 110. Communication media typicallyembodies computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier waveor other transport mechanism and includes any information deliverymedia. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one ormore of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 131and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within computer 110, such as during start-up, istypically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/orprogram modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presentlybeing operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 1 illustrates operating system 134, applicationprograms 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137.

The computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 1 illustrates a hard disk drive 141 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151that reads from or writes to removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152,and an optical disk drive 155 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 156 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital video disks, digital video tape, Bernoulli cartridges, solidstate RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 141, istypically connected to the system bus 121 through a nonremovable memoryinterface such as interface 140, and magnetic disk drive 151 and opticaldisk drive 155 are typically connected to the system bus 121 by aremovable memory interface, such as interface 150.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 1, provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 110. In FIG. 1, for example, hard disk drive 141 is illustratedas storing operating system 144, application programs 145, other programmodules 146, and program data 147. Note that these components can eitherbe the same as or different from operating system 134, applicationprograms 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137. Operatingsystem 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, andprogram data 147 are given different numbers to illustrate that, at aminimum, they are different copies. A user may enter commands andinformation into the computer 110 through input devices such as akeyboard 162 and pointing device 161, commonly referred to as a mouse,trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include amicrophone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like.These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit120 through a user input interface 160 that is coupled to the systembus, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such asa parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor191 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus121 via an interface, such as a video interface 190. In addition to themonitor 191, computers may also include other peripheral output devicessuch as speakers 197 and printer 196, which may be connected through anoutput peripheral interface 195.

The computer 110 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, andtypically includes many or all of the elements described above relativeto the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has beenillustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1include a local area network (LAN) 171 and a wide area network (WAN)173, but may also include other networks. Such networking environmentsare commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranetsand the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connectedto the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes amodem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the networkinterface 170, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates remoteapplication programs 185 as residing on memory device 181. It will beappreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers may beused.

Although many other internal components of the computer 110 are notshown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that suchcomponents and the interconnection are well known. Accordingly,additional details concerning the internal construction of the computer110 need not be disclosed in connection with the present invention.

When the computer 110 is turned on or reset, the BIOS 133, which isstored in the ROM 131 instructs the processing unit 120 to load theoperating system from the hard disk drive 141 into the RAM 132. Once theoperating system 134 is loaded in RAM 132, the processing unit 120executes the operating system code and causes the visual elementsassociated with the user interface of the operating system 134 to bedisplayed on the monitor 191. When an application program 135 is openedby a user, the program code and relevant data are read from the harddisk drive 141 and stored in RAM 132.

The method and system of the present invention allow the user to quicklyexamine the taskbar to view running application files and efficientlymove between and select each running application. Although the methodand system are described as being implemented in a “WINDOWS” operatingsystem by “MICROSOFT”, one skilled in the art would recognize that themethod and system can be in any system supporting a graphical userinterface that displays a representation of more than one running task.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the present invention involves a method forclustering and grouping taskbar buttons. At step 200, a user opens oneor more application files. The application files may be word processingdocuments, database documents, email documents, or any other type offile or application that may be run on a computer. Each application filehas an associated taskbar button and as application files are opened,corresponding buttons appear on the taskbar. The taskbar is typicallylocated along the bottom of a computer display but may be moved by theuser to any edge of the display. FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a taskbaron a display produced in the “WINDOWS” operating system. As shown inFIG. 6, a taskbar button has an icon 240 associated with a particularapplication and a title 242 that corresponds to the title bar of theapplication file. As more application files are opened, the number ofcorresponding taskbar buttons increase. Returning to FIG. 2, the newlycreated taskbar buttons are clustered by like application at step 202.For example, all open processes utilizing a specific web browser arelike application files and are clustered together. In this application,“clustering” means placing like application files together on thetaskbar. A preferred methodology for clustering the taskbar buttons willbe described in greater detail below.

As more taskbar buttons are created, the size of the buttons decreasedue to the limited available space, until a threshold size is reached.Once this threshold is reached, the system groups the taskbar buttonsinto a group button at step 204. In this application, “grouping” isdefined as replacing individual like application buttons with a groupbutton on the taskbar. A preferred grouping methodology will bediscussed in greater detail below.

As the user closes application files running on the computer, the numberof buttons on the taskbar is reduced and their size is increased. Whenthe size of the taskbar buttons reaches an ungrouping threshold limit,the individual taskbar buttons within the group button will be ungroupedat step 206 resulting in the individual taskbar buttons again beingdisplayed on the screen.

As stated above, the present invention involves clustering taskbarbuttons of like applications. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating aclustering methodology involved in step 202 of the present invention. Atstep 210, an application file is opened by the user. As describedearlier, as an application file is opened, a corresponding taskbarbutton is displayed on the taskbar. The system then determines if thereis a like application running on the system at step 212. If there is anexisting button open on the taskbar corresponding to the sameapplication as the newly opened file, the system places the new buttonnext to, and to the right of, the existing button at step 214. If thereis not a like application file opened, the system places the button tothe right of the last opened application file at step 216. This processis repeated as application files are opened on the computer system.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the most recently openedapplication Paint is represented by taskbar button 244. Because this isthe first instance of an open Paint application, the system will placethe corresponding taskbar button at the right-most position on thetaskbar according to step 216 in FIG. 3. In FIG. 6, there are fivetaskbar buttons 246, 248, 250, 252, and 254 that are clustered together.While some of the buttons 246,248,250,252, and 254 have different icons,each is a “MICROSOFT” “OUTLOOK” application file. If the filecorresponding to button 254, labeled “Taskbar bit . . . ” is the mostrecently opened file, the “Taskbar bit . . . ” button is placed to theright of button 252 labeled “RE: Preside . . . ” according to step 214in FIG. 3. In other words, the “Taskbar bit . . . ” button in FIG. 6 isplaced to the immediate right of the right-most taskbar button runningthe same application. This placement is an example of clustering likeapplication taskbar buttons.

As stated above, the present invention also involves grouping taskbarbuttons. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a grouping methodologyfor the present invention. At step 220, multiple application files areopened by the user. As the application files are opened, the systemclusters the taskbar buttons corresponding to the application files asdescribed above. At step 222, the system determines if a groupingthreshold has been reached. The grouping threshold, broadly defined, isa predetermined value representing the minimum amount of space availablefor a taskbar button on the taskbar. The predetermined value ispreferably a value that allows the taskbar button to display enoughinformation to allow the computer user to identify the file. In apreferred embodiment, the grouping threshold is defined as the width inpixels of the taskbar application icon plus three characters of textplus button margins as prescribed by the operating system. If a groupingthreshold is met, application files are then grouped into one groupbutton at step 224. If the grouping threshold has not been met, thesystem takes no action, but continues to monitor for a groupingthreshold.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the group threshold limitmay be altered to any desired size to facilitate the desired results ofthe present invention. Grouping of individual application files willoccur when there are two or more like application files open in theapplication and the application is not yet grouped. In one embodiment,if there are several sets of ungrouped application buttons on thetaskbar, the system will group the buttons associated with theapplication used longest ago. In another embodiment, if several sets ofungrouped buttons appear on the taskbar, the system will group thelargest set of ungrouped buttons. In still another embodiment, thesystem will group a set of ungrouped buttons when the number ofungrouped buttons equals or exceeds a predetermined or selected fixednumber of open application files.

FIG. 7 is a view of the taskbar illustrating the grouping of individualapplication buttons on the taskbar. The taskbar of FIG. 7 represents anenvironment identical to that of FIG. 6, except that a new untitledPaint file has been opened and a corresponding taskbar button 256 hasbeen placed at the right-most position on the taskbar. Upon the openingof this paint file, the group threshold level is met. In other words,the space available for each taskbar button is below the preset limit.Therefore, according to step 224 in FIG. 4, the system determines theproper application cluster to group. Because the “OUTLOOK” cluster wasused longest ago, the system groups the five individual “OUTLOOK”taskbar buttons 246, 248, 250, 252, 254, and 256 in FIG. 6 into onegroup button 258 in FIG. 7.

The group button 258 created by the grouping methodology represents anentire group of individual application files as illustrated in FIG. 7.Text on the group button is the application friendly name. In the caseof group button 258, the text is “‘MICROSOFT’ ‘OUTLOOK’”. The icon usedfor the group button is the same icon used by the application executablefile. Immediately to the right of the icon is a number in parentheses.This number represents the number of individual application filesassociated with the group button.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, group buttons function as menu items. The menuitems are the individual files opened in that particular application. Toaccess a particular group menu, the user selects the group buttonresulting in a display of the menu containing the individual applicationfile names. Text used to identify each of the files is the same textthat is available on the title bar of that particular application'swindow. This typically consists of the icon followed by a string oftext. Note that the text string gives more complete information comparedto the taskbar button because more space is available.

As application files are closed, taskbar buttons are ungrouped. FIG. 5is a flow diagram illustrating the ungrouping methodology of the presentinvention. As application files are closed in the system, at step 230,the system determines if an ungrouping threshold has been met at step232. The ungrouping threshold is designed to allow ungrouping of theindividual application files when the grouping threshold plus someadditional margin is achieved. In a preferred embodiment, for a givenhorizontal taskbar width, a maximum number of buttons can appear on thetaskbar before the buttons cross the grouping threshold width mentionedabove. At the given horizontal taskbar width, ungrouping will occur whenthere are some number fewer buttons on the taskbar than the maximumnumber that exist prior to the grouping threshold width being met. In apreferred embodiment, two button widths are used as the margin ofadditional button widths. If the ungrouping threshold has been met, thegroup button is removed and the individual application task bar buttonsare then displayed at step 234. For example, ungrouping of the“MICROSOFT” “OUTLOOK” files is illustrated by moving from FIG. 7 to FIG.6. Ungrouping will occur when the ungrouped buttons have a width greaterthan the grouping threshold width. If the ungrouping threshold has notbeen reached, the system takes no further action, but continues tomonitor for the ungrouping threshold as application files are closed.

As with the grouping methodology, the system may use one of severalmethods for determining the first group button to ungroup. In oneembodiment, applications that are used most recently are the first groupbuttons to be ungrouped. In another embodiment, applications with theleast number of open items are ungrouped first. In still anotherembodiment, when the number of open individual application items withinthe group falls below a fixed number, the system ungroups the groupbutton. In each case, an application may only ungroup if the taskbar isable to accommodate all the buttons with the resulting taskbar buttonwidths greater than the group threshold size defined above.

Turning to FIG. 9, a block diagram illustrating a taskbar buttonstructure 260 is shown. Structure 260 contains an application handle 262that provides the ability for the taskbar button to communicate with theapplication file and also an executable application name 264corresponding to that file. The data structure 260 also includes a lastaccessed field 266 to indicate when the application file was lastaccessed by the user. Additionally, structure 260 includes a state field268 to indicate if the button is visible or hidden. Like individualbutton structures 260 are stored and sorted into a cluster datastructure 270 as illustrated in FIG 10. The cluster structure 270includes two or more like individual taskbar button structures 272 and274 (also 260 in FIG. 9) having identical executable application namesand a group button 276 that is created to represent the entire cluster.The group button 276 has the same structure as button structure 260 andincludes a handle field 262, a name field 264, a last accessed field 266and a state field 268. Each cluster data structure has a state 278 thatis either normal or grouped. As mentioned above, each button structure260 has a state field 268 (FIG. 9) that is either visible or hidden.When a cluster is in its normal state, all its individual applicationbuttons are visible except for the group button, which is hidden. When acluster is in its group state, all its individual buttons are hiddenexcept for the group button which is visible.

The present invention provides users a meaningful method and system toview and access multiple running tasks by utilizing a taskbar. Thesystem organizes like application files together into clusters asillustrated in FIG. 6. Then, upon reaching a threshold limit, the systemcreates and displays a group button that contains the individualapplication files as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Alternative embodiments of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art to which it pertains upon review of thespecification, including the drawing figures. The various computersystems and components shown in FIGS. 1-10 and described in thespecification are merely exemplary of those suitable for use inconnection with the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent invention is defined by the appended claims rather than theforegoing description.

We claim:
 1. A method in a computer system for organizing and displayingtaskbar buttons associated with corresponding applications on a displayhaving a taskbar, comprising: receiving a command to create a taskbarbutton for an application file; identifying an application associatedwith the application file; identifying any existing taskbar buttonrepresenting a file created from the identified application; andautomatically creating the new taskbar button and placing it adjacent tothe identified existing taskbar button created from the identifiedapplication, such that task bar buttons for like application files aredisplayed adjacent one another on the taskbar to form a cluster.
 2. Themethod as recited in claim 1 further comprising: monitoring the spaceavailable for each taskbar button on the taskbar; comparing themonitored space available value against a first predetermined thresholdvalue; and grouping, if the space is less than the first predeterminedthreshold.
 3. The method as recited in claim 2 further comprising:comparing the monitored space available value against a secondpredetermined threshold value; and ungrouping, if the space is more thanthe second predetermined threshold.
 4. The method as recited in claim 3,wherein the first predetermined threshold value and the secondpredetermined threshold value are different.
 5. The method as recited inclaim 3 further comprising: monitoring for the application last usedlongest ago; and grouping according to the application last used longestago.
 6. The method as recited in claim 3 further comprising: when two ormore groups are formed, monitoring for the application last used; andungrouping according to the last application used.
 7. The method asrecited in claim 3 further comprising: monitoring for a fixed number ofapplication files used; and grouping when equal to or greater than thefixed number of application files used.
 8. The method as recited inclaim 3 further comprising: when two or more groups are formed,monitoring for a fixed number of application files used; and ungroupingwhen less than the fixed number of application files used.
 9. A methodin a computer system for organizing and displaying taskbar buttonsassociated with corresponding applications on a display having ataskbar, comprising: identifying the application file associated with ataskbar button; automatically placing all taskbar buttons having likeapplication files together on the taskbar to form a cluster; comparingthe monitored space available value against a second predeterminedthreshold value; ungrouping, if the space is more than the secondpredetermined threshold; monitoring for the largest number ofapplication files used; and grouping according to the largest number ofapplication files used.
 10. A method in a computer system for organizingand displaying taskbar buttons associated with correspondingapplications on a display having a taskbar, comprising: identifying theapplication file associated with a taskbar button; automatically placingall taskbar buttons having like application files together on thetaskbar to form a cluster; comparing the monitored space available valueagainst a second predetermined threshold value: ungrouping, if the spaceis more than the second predetermined threshold; when two or more groupsare formed, monitoring for the least number of application files used;and ungrouping according to the least number of application files used.11. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructionsfor organizing and displaying taskbar buttons associated withcorresponding applications on a display having a taskbar, comprising:receiving a command to create a taskbar button for an application file;identifying an application associated with the application file;identifying any existing taskbar button representing a file created fromthe identified application; and automatically creating the new taskbarbutton and placing it adjacent to the identified existing taskbar buttoncreated from the identified application, such that taskbar buttons forlike application files are displayed adjacent one another on the taskbarto form a cluster.
 12. A method in a computer system of organizing anddisplaying running tasks associated with corresponding applications on adisplay having a taskbar, the method comprising: automaticallyclustering a plurality of like application program buttons on thetaskbar such that each taskbar button representing a file associatedwith a first application program is placed adjacent second taskbarbutton representing a file associated with the first application; uponmeeting a group threshold size by adding like application programbuttons to the created cluster on the taskbar, automatically groupingthe plurality of like taskbar application buttons to form a groupapplication button, such that the individual taskbar buttons in thecluster are no longer displayed; and upon meeting an ungroup thresholdby closing like application program files, automatically ungrouping thegroup application button to display the plurality of like taskbarapplication buttons, such that the group application button is no longerdisplayed.
 13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein each of theplurality of like taskbar application buttons has a correspondingapplication file.
 14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein thelike taskbar application buttons are executed using the sameapplication.
 15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the groupthreshold size is approximately the width of an application icon plusthree characters of text.
 16. The method as recited in claim 12, whereinthe group threshold size establishes a maximum number of buttons thatcan fit on the taskbar, and, wherein the ungroup threshold is met whenthere are the maximum number of buttons minus an ungrouping number onthe taskbar and when the taskbar can accommodate a number of buttonsequal to or less than the maximum number of taskbar buttons.
 17. Themethod as recited in claim 16, wherein the ungrouping number is two. 18.The method of claim 12, further comprising: displaying the group buttonfor a first type of application program files simultaneously withindividual taskbar buttons for application files associated with asecond type of application program.
 19. A computer-readable mediumhaving computer executable instructions for organizing and displayingrunning tasks associated with corresponding applications on a displayhaving a taskbar, the method comprising: automatically clustering aplurality of like application program buttons on the taskbar such thateach taskbar button representing a file associated with a firstapplication program is adjacent another taskbar button representing afile associated with the first application; upon meeting a groupthreshold size by adding like application program buttons to the createdcluster on the taskbar, automatically grouping the plurality of liketaskbar application buttons to form a group application button, suchthat the individual taskbar buttons in the cluster are no longerdisplayed; and upon meeting an ungroup threshold by closing likeapplication program files, automatically ungrouping the groupapplication button to display the plurality of like taskbar applicationbuttons, such that the group application button is no longer displayed.20. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including adisplay and a user interface selection device, a method of providing andselecting clustered and grouped taskbar buttons, said method comprising:retrieving an application program file, wherein the application programfile has a corresponding taskbar application button; displaying thetaskbar application button; repeating the retrieving step and thedisplaying step for new applications opened; automatically clusteringlike application taskbar application buttons; upon meeting apredetermined cluster size, automatically retrieving a group applicationbutton; displaying the group application button and removing from thetaskbar each of the like taskbar application buttons, such that a groupbutton appears on the screen for each cluster of application buttonsexceeding the predetermined cluster size, while taskbar applicationbuttons for individual files not exceeding the predetermined clustersize appear on the screen simultaneously with the group button; and uponmeeting an ungroup threshold, automatically displaying each of the liketaskbar application buttons on the taskbar and removing the groupapplication button.
 21. The method as recited in claim 20 furthercomprising receiving a group entry selection signal indicative of a userselection of the group application button, and, in response to the groupentry selection signal, displaying each of the like application programfiles on the display.
 22. The method as recited in claim 21, whereindisplaying each of the like application program files on the displayincludes displaying the files in a menu.
 23. The method as recited inclaim 20, wherein the predetermined size is approximately the width ofan application icon plus three characters of text.
 24. The method asrecited in claim 20, wherein the predetermined size establishes amaximum number of buttons that can fit on the taskbar, and, wherein theungroup threshold is met when there are the maximum number of buttonsminus an ungrouping number on the taskbar and when the taskbar canaccommodate a number of buttons equal to or less than the maximum numberof taskbar buttons.
 25. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein theungrouping number is two.
 26. In a computer system having a graphicaluser interface including a display and a user interface selectiondevice, a method of presenting and accessing representations of one ormore running tasks, said method comprising: displaying a cluster,wherein the cluster includes a plurality of like taskbar applicationbuttons; upon meeting a first predetermined threshold, automaticallydisplaying a group application button on the taskbar and removing theplurality of like taskbar application buttons on the taskbar, whereinthe group application button includes the plurality of like taskbarapplication buttons, such that a group button appears on the screen foreach cluster of application buttons exceeding the predetermined clustersize, while taskbar application buttons for individual files notexceeding the predetermined cluster size appear on the screensimultaneously with the group button; and upon meeting a secondpredetermined threshold, automatically displaying the plurality oftaskbar application buttons on the taskbar and removing the groupapplication button on the taskbar.
 27. The method as recited in claim26, wherein the first predetermined threshold is approximately the widthof an application icon plus three characters of text.
 28. The method asrecited in claim 26, wherein the first predetermined thresholdestablishes a maximum number of buttons that can fit on the taskbar,and, wherein the second predetermined threshold is met when there arethe maximum number of buttons minus an ungrouping number on the taskbarand when the taskbar can accommodate a number of buttons equal to orless than the maximum number of taskbar buttons.
 29. The method asrecited in claim 28, wherein the ungrouping number is two.
 30. Acomputer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions forperforming a method of presenting and accessing representations of oneor more running tasks, comprising: displaying a cluster, wherein thecluster includes a plurality of like taskbar application buttons; uponmeeting a first predetermined threshold, automatically displaying agroup application button on the taskbar and removing the plurality oflike taskbar application buttons on the taskbar, wherein the groupapplication button includes the plurality of like taskbar applicationbuttons, such that a group button appears on the screen for each clusterof application buttons exceeding the predetermined cluster size, whiletaskbar application buttons for individual files not exceeding thepredetermined cluster size appear on the screen simultaneously with thegroup button; and upon meeting a second predetermined threshold,automatically displaying the plurality of taskbar application buttons onthe taskbar and removing the group application button on the taskbar.